AIP RESOURCE PAGE

The AIP Resource Center provides a wide range of links, documents and videos that both document the accomplishments of the program AND support your journey in creating space for Native artists and communities in your venues, on your rosters, and throughout your seasons. The road to equity that we walk together might begin with our Basic Toolkit - a list of resources to help you understand foundational Indigenous protocols, such as land acknowledgment and smudging - or if your institution is ready for Beyond Land Acknowledgment, a deeper dive into the curricula and conversations that Native performers have explored through the annual AIP Symposium. It’s all documented in the Videos section, with the webinars and program documentation that’s been created over the past six years. Enjoy.

BASIC TOOLKIT

BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

AIP SYMPOSIUM

VIDEOS AND MORE

What is Cultural Competency?

Cultural competency is …. TEXT HERE. Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point. If you sell something, use this space to describe it in detail and tell us why we should make a purchase. Tap into your creativity. You’ve got this.

Download Toolkit

Basic Toolkit

for Cultural Competency

Beyond Land Acknowledgment

Understanding land acknowledgment is considered foundational for individuals and organizations looking to honor the first peoples of the lands we inhabit … but it’s only a first step. Building long-term relationships based on respect, trust and reciprocity is the work that must be done as we walk this journey together towards the goal of reconciling America’s history of settler colonialism. The resources below are intended to assist those wishing to take a deeper dive into the subject.

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INDIGENOUS DIRECTION

A consulting firm for companies and artists who want to create accurate work about, for and with Indigenous Peoples

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Tools for equitable contracting in dance touring, created by Dance/USA Equitable Contracting Joint Working Group, and prepared by the legal clinic at Stanford Law School

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AIP Artist Symposium

Each year, AIP has held an Artist Symposium in conjunction with the WAA Annual Conference, bringing Native Launchpad artists and AIP Associate Artists together a day in advance of Conference opening to take part in professional development activities, networking with international Indigenous colleagues and local Native community. As we’ve discovered over time, the biggest bonus has been the bonding and generosity between artists in sharing knowledge and experience peer-to-peer. Each year’s Symposium is documented below, with curriculum, documentation of professional development sessions, and the sharing of work and protocols.

2018 - Las Vegas, NV

The inaugural AIP Symposium was held August 25-26 at the Historic Fifth Street School, preceding the 2018 WAA Annual Conference (26-30 at the Bellagio Hotel), featuring presentations on the Business of Touring (programming, markets, planning), artist sharing and group discussion. Native Launchpad (3) and Associate Artists (9).

2019 - Los Angeles, CA

Held August 25 and 26 at the JW Marriott LA LIVE Hotel, before the 2019 WAA Conference, featuring presentations on best practices, and protocol with local Kihz and Tataviam tribal members. Conference sessions included International Indigenous roundtable and first Native Jam. Native Launchpad (7) and Associate Artists (9).

2020 - Online, with Arts Midwest

Like the WAA Conference, the 2020 AIP Symposium was conducted online, with: pre-recorded sessions on agents, tour planning, showcasing and marketing; Zoom gatherings; and an international protocols discussion. Native Launchpad (11) and Associate Artists (22).

2021 - Portland, OR

The first pandemic-era, hybrid WAA Conference was held August 31-September 2 at the PDX Hilton. The AIP Symposium was held August 30th at Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and NACF, with a mix of in-person and Zoomed workshops, International Protocols discussion, and video showcases. Native Launchpad (13) and Associate Artists (2).

2022 - Calgary, AB

The all in-person 2022 WAA Annual Conference was held August 29-September 1 at the downtown Marriott Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. The AIP Symposium preceded the Conference on August 28, at local theatre cSPACE, with a full day of activities for 60 program artists, local First Nations artists, and Indigenous Programmers from Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and Canada - including international protocols, sharing of local Blackfoot cuisine, and strategic discussions of global Indigenous performance practice, perspectives and needs. During the WAA Conference, AIP hosted presentations by BlakDance (Australia) and a convening of the Indigenous Programmers Forum, a land-based dance workshop and all-Native showcase. Native Launchpad (15) and guest artists and Indigenous Programmers (45).

2023 - Seattle, WA

The WAA Conference returned to Seattle in 2023, with activities taking place in and around the downtown Sheraton Hotel, September 5-8. With the opportunity for a Symposium and Showcase shifting to the Hyphen+Asian (Asian Pacific Islander Hawaiian Native) Affinity Group and Seattle AAPIH community, the AIP convening was smaller and focused on skill- and network-building for the 2022 Native Launchpad cohort and 2023 Associate Artists, as well as peer-to-peer learning. Native Launchpad alumni shared their experience and knowledge, new artists practiced pitching their work to a panel of WAA member presenters, and a group of Indigenous Festival programmers shared their curatorial vision for “what they’re looking for”. Native Launchpad (9) and Associate Artists (6).

2024 - Online, June 25, 2025

With a Symposium focus for the 2024 WAA Annual Conference rotating to the Conexiones (Latine) Affinity Group, the AIP Symposium was postponed to June 2025. With major funding coming to an end, the AIP program will sunset its fellowship and Touring Fund programs for the foreseeable future, while maintaining a focus on Portland-area Native audience development and partner programming, with support from an Oregon funder. The 2024 AIP Symposium will be an online gathering of program artists and allies, featuring a panel discussion of the program’s origins and impacts, the official launch of the AIP Resource Center, and formation of an Indigenous Affinity Group of WAA.